Competitions, raffles, bingo and other charitable games

Certain games, such as raffles, art unions, bingo, lucky envelopes, sweeps (including Calcutta sweeps) and promotional games (including trade promotions or competitions) are regulated under the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999.

The Act categories these games and some require a licence.

Category 1 games (no licence required)

Non-profit associations and, in limited cases, individuals can conduct category 1 games without needing a licence when:

  • the total ticket sales (gross proceeds) are no more than $2,000
  • the total value of raffle prizes is at least 20% of the estimated total ticket sales.

The games in category 1 include raffles, art unions, sweeps (including Calcutta sweeps), football doubles, lucky door prizes, bingo.

Read the Guide to category 1 games up to $2000 (total ticket sales) for more information.

Category 2 games (no licence required)

Eligible non-profit associations can conduct category 2 games without needing a licence if:

  • the total ticket sales are
    • between $2,000 and $20,000 for all games in a bingo session
    • no more than $5,000 for lucky envelopes
    • between $2,000 and $50,000 for other games
  • the total value of raffle prizes is at least 20% of the estimated total ticket sales.

If a club is an 'eligible association' it can conduct raffles up to $50,000 without a licence, permit or permit number. See section 10 of the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999 for meaning of 'eligible association'.

The games in category 2 include raffles, sweeps (including Calcutta sweeps), football doubles, lucky door prizes, bingo.

Read the Guide to category 2 games—Gross proceeds more than $2,000 but not more than $50,000 (total ticket sales) for more information.

Category 3 games (require a licence)

Individuals or incorporated associations or non-profits running raffles or art unions must have a category 3 gaming licence when the total ticket sales are more than $50,000.

You must also ensure:

  • your licence number is printed on all tickets where the ticket sales are estimated to be more than $50,000
  • the total value of raffle prizes is at least 20% of the estimated total ticket sales.

Read the Guide to category 3 games—Gross proceeds more than $50,000 (total ticket sales) for more information.

Special category 3 games (require a licence)

You need a special category 3 gaming licence to conduct a single art union for the welfare or benefit of people needing help because of a disaster or being disadvantaged. The total ticket sales must be more than $5,000.

Category 4 promotional games (no licence required)

This category is for free entry draws conducted to promote goods or services. No licence is required.

Anyone can conduct a promotional game, however, businesses usually conduct these to promote product sales.

Read the Guide to category 4 promotional games for more information.

Bingo centres (require a licence)

A bingo centre is defined as 2 or more eligible associations that, between them, conduct more than 25 bingo sessions each week.

Bingo centres require a bingo centre licence.

Lucky envelope printing (requires a licence)

Lucky envelopes are a type of pre-determined lottery where the correct combination of numbers, letters or pictures in the envelope (or 'break-open' ticket) is the winner.

Eligible incorporated associations can print lucky envelopes—they must have a lucky envelope printer licence to do so.

You must not sell lucky envelopes unless they've been printed under a licence.

Tipping competitions (no licence required)

Individuals or incorporated associations don't need a licence to run a tipping competition, however, all proceeds must be returned to the players as prizes.

More information

Charitable and non-profit gaming operates under the following legislation and code of practice:

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